Conservation CommitteeUpdate on TPWD Progress in Implementing the
TPWD Land and Water Resources Conservation and Recreation PlanJanuary 21, 2009

I. Executive Summary: Executive Director Carter Smith will briefly update the Commission on the status of the agency's efforts to implement the Land and Water Resources Conservation and Recreation Plan (the Plan).

II. Discussion: In 2001, the 77th Texas Legislature directed that the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) develop a Land and Water Resources Conservation and Recreation Plan (Tex. Park & Wild. Code §11.104). In November 2002, the Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission (the Commission) adopted the first Plan. A revised Plan was adopted by the Commission in January 2005. The Plan is available on the TPWD web site. Executive Director Carter Smith will update the Conservation Committee on TPWD's recent progress in achieving the Plan's Goals and Objectives as they relate to the Conservation Committee.

The Plan consists of 8 Goals and a total of 56 Objectives. The Goals stated in the Plan are as follows:

Conservation CommitteeDove Research BriefingJanuary 21, 2009

I. Executive Summary: Approximately 25 percent of the nation's dove hunting occurs in Texas, generating approximately $316 million in annual economic activity within the state. This briefing addresses past, current, and future dove research in Texas and how the information acquired from these studies is used at the state and national levels to guide decisions concerning regulations and management.

Conservation CommitteeAcceptance of Land Donation from Brazos River Authority - Palo Pinto County Approximately 350 acres at Possum Kingdom State ParkJanuary 21, 2009

I. Executive Summary: Staff of Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) is working with staff of the Brazos River Authority (BRA) on a land transaction that would result in the transfer of approximately 700 acres of land to TPWD in two phases.

II. Discussion: The 1,529-acre Possum Kingdom State Park was acquired from the BRA in 1939 and opened to the public in 1950. In 1965 a portion of the park was returned to BRA for proposed development of lakeside cabins, but much of that land remains undeveloped, and TPWD staff believes the land would make a viable addition to the state park, for an expanded trail network and possibly remote camping area(s). BRA is in the process of making decisions about land use surrounding the lake, and is interested in returning open land to TPWD for low impact recreation consistent with the current development and use of the state park.

In exchange, BRA is requesting the transfer of 250 acres of inundated lands lying under the surface of the lake from TPWD to BRA, and conversion of a 960-foot long BRA pipeline right-of-way term easement to a permanent no-fee easement. In addition, some or all of the transferred land would be subject to Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) development restrictions, as is a portion of the current state park. The FERC restrictions would not preclude any of the current park activities or any of those contemplated for future development and public use of the property.

Two phases of land transaction, of roughly 350 acres each, are contemplated, as illustrated in Exhibit C below. Upon finalization of the terms and conditions of each of these transfers, staff requests permission to begin the public notice and input process.

II. Discussion: A number of years ago, TPWD was donated majority interest in a waterfront lot at Caddo Lake separated from the state park by a road, and including a dilapidated house. TPWD has recently acquired the remaining interest in the lot. An intervening landowner is willing to exchange this lot for an area of waterfront land of equal value (one acre more or less) adjacent to the park.

This exchange is of particular operational value to TPWD because the land is adjacent to the park's boat ramp which is only a matter of yards from the current park boundary. Trespass by users of the boat ramp onto the adjacent private property has been an issue in the past. Acquisition of this tract would help alleviate this problem for both TPWD and the adjacent landowner.

Staff requests permission from the Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission to begin the public notice and input process for this exchange.

I. Executive Summary: Staff of Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) has been working with the City of San Antonio on an agreement to transfer approximately 3,000 acres of undeveloped land from the City to TPWD for management and operation as part of the Government Canyon State Natural Area (SNA).

II. Discussion: The City of San Antonio (COSA) owns approximately eight tracts of undeveloped land contiguous with Government Canyon SNA totaling approximately 3,000 acres. The land is similar in topography, habitat and recreation potential to the park. COSA and TPWD staff has been discussing the possibility of transferring this land to TPWD for operation as part of Government Canyon consistent with the development and public use philosophy of the SNA.

The occurrence of the endangered Golden Cheeked Warbler on Camp Bullis in areas needed for training exercises has precipitated the need to identify offsite conservation "credit." COSA has been consulting with U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service on ways to generate this credit. Since Golden Cheeked Warblers occur on parts of the 3,000 acres of subject tracts, some credit might be realized in the transfer of this property to TPWD for conservation and management in perpetuity. Any restrictions on development and operations resulting from this designation would be comparable to those already in place on the SNA.

The subject tracts represent the majority of undeveloped lands adjacent to Government Canyon, and may be the last opportunity to enlarge the SNA. Staff requests permission to continue working with COSA, enter into a Letter of Intent outlining the proposed transfer, and begin the public notice and input process.

II. Discussion: Staff requests permission to publish the MOU in the Texas Register in February. TPWD and TxDOT are currently working to finalize the MOU for publication in the Texas Register in February, with adoption by both Commissions in March 2009.

The MOU will address the following: types of transportation projects to be reviewed by TPWD, the information that will be required in the Environmental Assessments prepared by TxDOT, coordination of these projects, best management practices to minimize impacts to fish and wildlife resources and a process for compensation for state fish and wildlife resources.

The current MOU is located at Texas Administrative Code, Title 43, §2.22 and was adopted by reference at Texas Administrative Code, Title 31, Part 2, Chapter 69.